POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 16, 2015) - The Vassar College women's basketball team opened its 2015-16 season Monday evening, but No. 12 Montclair State University spoiled the party as the Red Hawks knocked off the Brewers 67-40 in action from the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Montclair State came out strong in the opening half, holding the Brewers to just 7.7 percent shooting in taking a 14-4 lead into the second quarter. Freshman Nicole Teta (Maspeth, NY/Archbishop Molloy) opened the scoring for the Brewers with jumper early on in the first period, but MSU followed with eight straight points.

In the second quarter, both teams traded buckets through the mid-way point of the period but Montclair State (2-0) finished the half on a 7-0 run, powered by a triple and a pair of free throws by Kayla Ceballos to take a 27-12 lead into the break.

Vassar shot just 4-of-25 (16 percent) in the opening half of the season, and turned the ball over 11 times. Seniors Caitlin Drakeley (Woodbury, CT/Nonnewaug) and Rose Serafini (Milton, Ontario, Canada) paced VC with four points apiece, while Katie Sire had nine points for the Red Hawks.

After the intermission, the Red Hawks forced the Brewers into four early turnovers, extending their lead out to 42-18 on a three-point bucket by freshman Faith Ashby at the 6:26 mark of the third quarter. The Red Hawks would pull away for the victory late thanks to shooting 51.4 percent in the closing half.

Vassar was led by 10 points from sophomore Ariella Rosenthal (Mill Valley, CA/Redwood), while Serafini and Drakeley each finished with six points apiece for the Brewers. Sophomore Samarah Cook (Redding, CT/Joel Barlow) added eight points for VC, and Serafini paced the Brewers with 11 rebounds and three blocks.

VC shot 27.8 percent (15-54) from the field, but turned the ball over 20 times on the night.

Katie Sire led the Red Hawks with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Kate Tobie added 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Montclair State also got nine points from Ceballos, as the team went 28-70 (40.0%) from the floor.

The Brewers will play host to the VC Tip-Off Tournament Friday and Saturday evening in the Athletics & Fitness Center. Vassar will take on College of Mount Saint Vincent at 6 p.m., followed by Haverford College and Medaille College at 8 p.m. Friday evening. The consolation game will start at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon, followed by the 3 p.m. tournament title game.